ALAWON v6, n104 - SLC UPDATES; SYWETZ NAMED IMLS DEPUTY DIRECTOR (fwd)

Michael A. Golrick (mgolrick@connix.com)
Thu, 27 Nov 1997 09:00:15 -0500

Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 09:00:15 -0500
Message-Id: <Pine.BSI.3.95.971127090441.14010B-100000@comet.connix.com>
From: "Michael A. Golrick" <mgolrick@connix.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <conntech>
Subject: ALAWON v6, n104 - SLC UPDATES; SYWETZ NAMED IMLS DEPUTY DIRECTOR (fwd)



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Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 16:39:36 -0500
From: ALAWASH E-MAIL <ALAWASH@ALAWASH.ORG>
To: ALA Washington Office Newsline <ala-wo@ala1.ala.org>
Subject: ALAWON v6, n104 - SLC UPDATES; SYWETZ NAMED IMLS DEPUTY DIRECTOR

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ALAWON                                       Volume 6, Number 104
ISSN 1069-7799                                  November 26, 1997

     American Library Association Washington Office Newsline

In this issue: (156 lines)

-ELIZABETH SYWETZ NAMED DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMLS OFFICE OF LIBRARY
SERVICES

-UPDATED UNIVERSAL SERVICE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FROM SLC
_________________________________________________________________

           ELIZABETH SYWETZ NAMED DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF 
                IMLS OFFICE OF LIBRARY SERVICES

Elizabeth Sywetz, executive director of the Western New York
Library Resources Council in Buffalo, NY, has been appointed to
the position of Deputy Director of the Institute of Museum and
Library Services for the Office of Library Services.  She will
assume her new position on January 5, 1998.

In 1996 Sywetz was president of the New York Library Association
and has also served as president of the School Library Systems
Association. She has served on the Library Services and
Construction Act Advisory Council and the Library Services and
Technology Act Council of the New York State Department of
Education. She is an ALA member with division memberships in the
Library and Information Technology Association and the
Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.

In assuming this position, Ms. Sywetz will become part of the
senior management team at the agency, responsible for development
and formulation of Institute policy with direct responsibility
for the Office of Library Services. She will play a significant
role in the implementation of the Library Services and Technology
Act, providing policy recommendations to the director and
executing these policies through her role as supervisor of all
library program staff. 

IMLS was created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996,
P.L. 104-208. IMLS is an independent federal grantmaking agency
serving the public by strengthening museums and libraries. IMLS
consists of an Office of the Director, Office of Museum Services,
Office of Library Services and Office of Research and Technology.
For more information, including guidelines, contact: Institute of
Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20506, 202/606-8536, Internet: www.imls.fed.us/.
_________________________________________________________________

     UPDATED UNIVERSAL SERVICE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FROM SLC

Schools and Libraries Corporation CEO Ira Fishman has released
three new public documents on universal service(see ALAWON v6,
n101, November 19, 1997).  The documents, available at
www.neca.org/funds/slc.htm, include "A Letter from Ira Fishman,
CEO," "Nine Steps You Can Take Now to Prepare for the Schools and
Libraries Universal Service Program" and "Questions and Answers
on Implementation of the Universal Service Program for Schools
and Libraries." 

The text below is excerpted from the "A letter from the SLC CEO
Ira Fishman," dated November 20.

     "...As the information reflects, the Schools and
     Libraries Corporation has put in place a series of
     policies and activities that are intended to enable
     schools, libraries and providers to take care in
     preparing for participation in the universal service
     program.  We want to make sure that all eligible
     schools and libraries have the time to take the steps
     necessary to apply for funding in 1998 and to make
     effective use of that funding.

     In particular, I want to emphasize:

     1)  We have established a one-time 75 day filing Window
     so that all applications filed within the Window are
     treated the same.  That way, all applicants will have a
     fair opportunity to participate.  (Please see Question
     5 [online at
     www.itc.org/edlinc/publications/slcqas.html] in the
     enclosure for additional details on the Window).  We
     will let you know as soon as possible the date upon
     which the Window will commence;

     2)  Final funding commitments will be retroactive to
     January 1, 1998 for qualified existing contracts, or to
     the start date of a school or library's contract with
     its provider for new contracts, whichever is later. 
     That way, a school or library has the opportunity to
     fill out its application carefully, and the Schools and
     Libraries Corporation can review applications in an
     orderly fashion.  (Please see Questions 6 and 8 [online
     at www.itc.org/edlinc/publications/slcqas.html] for
     information on existing contracts and retroactivity). 

     3)  We will distribute via mail the applications,
     instructions, and accompanying materials several weeks
     ahead of the opening of our web site. That way, schools
     and libraries have a running start to plan and prepare;
 
     4)  We are establishing a Client Service Support System
     that will enable you to communicate with us in a number
     of ways (for example, telephone hotline, on-line, and
     facsimile) offering full guidance on the program and
     application requirements; and,

     5)  We will continue to work closely with national,
     state, and local education and library organizations so
     that you can consult with your colleagues about the
     program.

     The 75 day Window will begin on the date that the web
     site is up and running.  Our systems contractor is
     working full-out to finish the web site.  They believe
     the week of January 12th is the earliest time they can
     finish their work.  It of course is critical that when
     the web site opens, we have done all that is reasonable
     to ensure that it is accurate and reliable.

     Part of my commitment to open communications is candor. 
     I will keep you posted regularly about progress on the
     web site, the availability of our Client Service
     Support System, and the date upon which applications
     will be distributed.  Please keep in mind the program
     is effective January 1, 1998 and applications will be
     available before that time.

     I know you share my commitment to making the universal
     service program a success and hope you will share with me
     any questions or suggestions. I look forward to working
     with you."  
_________________________________________________________________

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